Five Foods That Are Killing Us

Constant education is part of the USAT's philosophy.  Coaches are required to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the newest and latest information regarding our sport, whether that is workouts, training or even nutrition.  I recently listened to a podcast from Dr. Josh Axe, a certified nutritionist and author of several books on healthy eating.  He talked about the 5 EVIL FOODS that are slowing us down and that we should eliminate from our lives.

HYDROGENATED OILS It can mean doomsday if you’re eating hydrogenated
oils on a regular basis. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “the risk
of cardiovascular disease rises 23% for every 2% increase in calories from trans fats
consumed every day”.

 Trans fats are partially hydrogenated oils that have been linked to heart
problems such as heart disease and obesity. Hydrogenated oils are known to raise
LDL cholesterol levels that allows cholesterol to build up as plaque, narrowing
arteries and eventually causing heart disease and strokes. But that’s not all. These
hydrogenated oils also lower good cholesterol, which supports your brain and
ability to heal.

 The main villains of hydrogenated oils that you want to stay away from are
corn oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil and canola oil.

CONVENTIONAL MEAT AND PASTEURIZED DAIRY Conventional
meat and dairy products can be more toxic than Venom. The saying, “you are
what you eat” is never more true than with meat and dairy products. Your body will
absorb all the toxins and contaminants of what you eat along with the nutrients, so
it’s vital that you know exactly what you’re putting on your plate.

 A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
confirmed that one glass of conventional pasteurized milk bought from the grocery
store contains 20 chemicals including antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs,
statin drugs, and pain killers - all of which are routinely used to treat diseased
animals.

 The average American eats 60 pounds of beef per year, yet the majority of
cattle are raised commercially in unnatural conditions. Calves balloon from 80 to
1200 pounds in 14 months by feeding them on grains, protein supplements, drugs,
antibiotics and hormones. Beef is also treated with gamma rays to kill bacteria, but
the radiation of meat and foods has produced radiolytic by-products raising serious
health concerns. However, if raw milk is sourced from healthy grass-fed cows, it
can be a healthy superfood that’s contaminant and infection-free.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS AND MSG Artifcial sweeteners are the Joker
of the food industry and aren’t as sweet as you might think. Sucralose, better known
as Splenda, is created by chlorinating sucrose replacing hydroxyl with chlorine,
which is a known carcinogen. As well as being a health risk, sucralose appears to
actually cause weight gain, possibly because it still triggers the release of insulin,
which is thought to induce people to actually eat more.

 In a report from an ofcial United States Air Force publication, pilots
were warned not to consume aspartame. The report stated, “Aspartame has been
investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects,
epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes.” To date the FDA has
made no move to regulate aspartame, which is sold as NutraSweet or Equal.

 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavor-enhancer yet it can cause
side effects such as sweating, nausea, headaches and even numbness in
the face and neck. It has also been linked to weight gain, according to studies by
the University of North Carolina who found that those who consumed MSG on a
regular basis were more likely to be overweight or obese.

PROCESSED GRAINS AND SUGAR Processed grains and sugars are like
Kryptonite to the human body. White bread, pasta, rice, sugary cereals, pastries,
crackers, and candy aren’t only un-nutritious, they are actually anti-nutrients. These
foods that are sugar based or immediately turn into sugar once ingested into your
system, actually leach vitamins out of your cells. Ever hit the 2pm carb coma at your
workplace from eating a big carbohydrate loaded lunch? That is in part because
processed grains and sugars are actually sucking the life out of you!

 Our bodies are designed as hunter-gatherers, yet our modern-day diets
are high in carbohydrates, processed grains, and sugar. We consume far too
much bread, cereal, pasta, rice and Twinkies than we should and our bodies are
protesting!

Those who are suffering from overweight, fatigue, insomnia, depression,
foggy brain, bloating, low blood sugar, high blood pressure or high triglycerides
need to change their diet – pronto – before it literally becomes the death of you.
Refined carbohydrates are derived from processed grains which have had most of
the nutrients removed. Refined grains are the main ingredients in bread, bagels,
cereal and pasta. They‘re known as “empty calories” as they’re stripped of nutrients,
fiber and B vitamins.

So what DO we eat? More information on my next post!